Introduction About VALSATOR AM TABLET

VALSATOR AM TABLET is used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure) when management with single agents is not effective. It is a combination of Amlodipine and Valsartan, which belong to the group of medicines called Antihypertensive agents. It acts by relaxing the blood vessels and supplying the various vital organs. This allows blood to flow more smoothly across the blood vessels, which in turn reduces the strain on the heart and helps the heart pump more blood with less pressure. By lowering blood pressure, VALSATOR AM TABLET can also reduce the risk of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke.

During management with VALSATOR AM TABLET, your doctor will constantly monitor your kidney functions, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels to avoid the risk of unwanted side effects. Also, avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking VALSATOR AM TABLET, as it may increase the risk of side effects.

Before taking VALSATOR AM TABLET, inform your doctor if you have any heart, liver, or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have diabetes, low blood pressure, or are severely dehydrated due to excessive vomiting or diarrhea.

VALSATOR AM TABLET is also not suitable for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women as it may cause serious harm to the growing baby. Stop taking VALSATOR AM TABLET and inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while undergoing therapy with VALSATOR AM TABLET.

The most common side effects of taking VALSATOR AM TABLET are low blood pressure, dizziness, tiredness, headache, sleepiness, swollen ankles, and flushing. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.

Uses Of VALSATOR AM TABLET

• Manages hypertension (high blood pressure)

How VALSATOR AM TABLET Works

VALSATOR AM TABLET effectively controls blood pressure in patients with hypertension. It contains two medicines, namely, amlodipine and valsartan. Valsartan blocks the actions of certain hormones (angiotensin-II) in the body that cause a narrowing of blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure.

Amlodipine is a vasodilator. It relaxes the blood vessels by blocking the entry of certain ions (calcium ions) within them that cause narrowing. This allows blood to flow more smoothly across the blood vessels. Collectively, they reduce the strain on the heart and help the heart pump more blood with less pressure.

How to use VALSATOR AM TABLET

Take VALSATOR AM TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Try to take VALSATOR AM TABLET at the same time each day.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending on your age, body weight, and health condition. Continue to take VALSATOR AM TABLET for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor without any interruption to achieve better results.

Side Effects Of VALSATOR AM TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Ensure proper hydration, as dehydration can cause dizziness. Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and high-sodium foods, which can exacerbate symptoms. Engage in physical therapy or vestibular rehabilitation exercises designed to improve balance and reduce dizziness. Move slowly when changing positions, such as standing up or lying down, to avoid triggering dizziness. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to manage stress, which can contribute to dizziness. Consult your doctor if dizziness persists.

Headache

Ensure adequate fluid intake, as dehydration can cause headaches. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Eat balanced meals at regular intervals to avoid blood sugar fluctuations that can trigger headaches. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to reduce stress levels. Engage in regular physical exercise, which can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Apply a cold pack or warm compress to the forehead or neck to alleviate pain.

Nausea And Vomiting

Stay hydrated with small sips of clear fluids like water, ginger ale, or electrolyte solutions. Avoid consuming large meals; instead, opt for bland, easy-to-digest foods. Ginger, peppermint, or chamomile tea may help soothe the stomach. Rest in a comfortable position, preferably with your head elevated, to ease symptoms. Consult your doctor if nausea and vomiting persist.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Contraindicated

VALSATOR AM TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing fetus. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking VALSATOR AM TABLET if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby. If you become pregnant while undergoing therapy with VALSATOR AM TABLET, stop taking it and consult your doctor immediately.

Breastfeeding

Contraindicated

VALSATOR AM TABLET is not recommended for use by breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Driving and Using Machines

Use with Caution

Do not drive or handle any heavy tools or machines if you experience dizziness or drowsiness after taking VALSATOR AM TABLET.

Alcohol

Consult your doctor

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking VALSATOR AM TABLET, as it might make you feel dizzier and drowsier.

Kidney

Use with Caution

VALSATOR AM TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems (such as kidney transplants or narrowing of renal arteries). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Liver

Consult your doctor

VALSATOR AM TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment (such as cholestasis, jaundice, or biliary obstruction). It should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not take VALSATOR AM TABLET if you are allergic to amlodipine or valsartan.

Heart Disease

Use with Caution

VALSATOR AM TABLET should be used with caution in patients with heart problems (such as irregular heart rhythm, heart failure, recent heart attack, and problems with heart muscle or valves). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Use In Pediatrics

Consult your doctor

VALSATOR AM TABLET should be used in children and adolescents (aged between 6-18 years) only if prescribed by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.

Use In Geriatrics

Use with Caution

VALSATOR AM TABLET should be used with caution with elderly patients. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug Interaction:

• Other antihypertensives (such as aliskiren, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, verapamil, diltiazem, losartan, and valsartan)
• Antimanic (Ex. lithium)
• Antidepressant (Ex. St. John’s wort)
• Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics (such as spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as indomethacin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, and aspirin)
• Anticoagulant (Ex. heparin)
• Antibacterials (Ex. erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, trimethoprim)
• Immunosuppressants (Ex. cyclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus, temsirolimus, and everolimus)
• Skeletal muscle relaxants (Ex. dantrolene and baclofen)
• Antiretroviral (Ex. indinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir)
• Antifungal (Ex. itraconazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazole)
• Cardiac glycosides (Ex. digoxin)
• Anti-lipemic (Ex. Simvastatin)
• Cytoprotectants (Ex. amifostine)
• Antipsychotics (Ex. pimozide, amisulpride, and haloperidol)
• Corticosteroids (Ex. prednisolone)

B. Drug-Food Interaction:

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking VALSATOR AM TABLET, as it may increase the risk of side effects.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more VALSATOR AM TABLET, consult your doctor immediately. Overdosage may cause low blood pressure, an abnormal heartbeat, and dizziness.

Synopsis

More Information

FAQs About VALSATOR AM TABLET

Q: What are the uses of VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: VALSATOR AM TABLET is used to manage hypertension in adults. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: What type of medicine is VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: VALSATOR AM TABLET is an antihypertensive medicine. It is a combination of two medicines, namely amlodipine and valsartan. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, and valsartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker. They both reduce strain on the heart, relax blood vessels, and make the heart pump more blood with less force.

Q: What happens when I stop taking VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: Do not stop taking VALSATOR AM TABLET without consulting your doctor, as your blood pressure may rise once again. Make sure to take VALSATOR AM TABLET for the stipulated duration recommended by your doctor to achieve maximum results.

Q: What is the best time to take VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: VALSATOR AM TABLET can be taken with or without meals. Your doctor will decide the best time for you to take VALSATOR AM TABLET based on your age, body weight, and disease condition.

Q: What should I do if I forget to take a dose of VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: If you have missed a dose of VALSATOR AM TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose of VALSATOR AM TABLET, skip the missed dose and take the next one regularly. Do not take a double dose of VALSATOR AM TABLET to compensate for the missed ones.

Q: What precautions should be followed while taking VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: Before taking VALSATOR AM TABLET, inform your doctor if you have any heart, liver, or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have diabetes, low blood pressure, or are severely dehydrated. Stop taking VALSATOR AM TABLET and consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. Regularly visit your doctor and take all the necessary blood tests recommended by your doctor without fail.

Q: Can I consume alcohol while taking VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking VALSATOR AM TABLET, as it might make you feel dizzier and drowsier.

Q: What happens if I accidentally take more VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: If you or anyone else accidentally took more VALSATOR AM TABLET, consult your doctor immediately. Overdosage may cause low blood pressure, an abnormal heartbeat, fainting, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, or confusion.

Q: Can I take VALSATOR AM TABLET daily?

A: Take VALSATOR AM TABLET as advised by your physician. Your doctor will evaluate your health condition and suggest whether you can take VALSATOR AM TABLET every day or not.

Q: Is VALSATOR AM TABLET safe to use in diabetic patients?

A: VALSATOR AM TABLET may alter the blood sugar levels in your body. Therefore, it is necessary to inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking VALSATOR AM TABLET as a precaution. Your doctor will closely monitor your blood sugar levels to avoid the risk of side effects.

Q: What are the side effects of VALSATOR AM TABLET?

A: The most common side effects of taking VALSATOR AM TABLET are low blood pressure, dizziness, tiredness, headache, sleepiness, swollen ankles, and flushing. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.

Q: Can I stop taking VALSATOR AM TABLET once my symptoms subside?

A: No. Do not stop taking VALSATOR AM TABLET without consulting your doctor. As hypertension is a chronic condition, long-term management may be necessary to control its symptoms. Therefore, take VALSATOR AM TABLET as advised by your doctor for the stipulated duration. Premature discontinuation of therapy may increase your blood pressure once again.

Q: Can VALSATOR AM TABLET be taken during pregnancy?

A: VALSATOR AM TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing fetus. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking VALSATOR AM TABLET if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby. If you become pregnant while undergoing therapy with VALSATOR AM TABLET, stop taking it and consult your doctor immediately.

Q: Is VALSATOR AM TABLET safe to use in kidney disease?

A: VALSATOR AM TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases (such as those having renal artery stenosis, kidney transplants, or those undergoing haemodialysis). Your doctor will assess your health condition and suggest a suitable dose for you. Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems before taking VALSATOR AM TABLET as a precaution.

Q: Can the use of VALSATOR AM TABLET affect the liver?

A: Yes. VALSATOR AM TABLET may affect the way your liver works. It can elevate the levels of certain liver enzymes in your body. Therefore, it is strictly not recommended for use in patients with severe liver diseases. It should be used with caution in patients with other minor liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.

References

1. KD Tripathi. Antihypertensive drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Seventh Edition. 2013. Page – 561 &562.

2. Khalid M Khan, Somia Iqtadar, Mahmood Nasir, Anum S Siddiqui, and Atiq Rehman. Amlodipine/Valsartan (Avsar®): Efficacy in Hypertensive Patients - A Real World Observational Study (ALERT). NIH. National Library of Health. National Center of Biotechnology Information. PMC PubMed Central. May 2020. [Accessed on 11th June 2024] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7299538/

3. Novartis Farmacéutica SA. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in July 2019] [Accessed on 11th June 2024] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7771.pdf

4. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in August 2018] [Accessed on 11th June 2024] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3478.pdf

5. McDermott Laboratories Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in May 2021] [Accessed on 11th June 2024] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8178.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)/ Hemogram
• Kidney Function Test (KFT)
• Cardiac Risk Profile
• C Reactive Protein (CRP)
• Jaanch Healthy Heart Advanced
• Cardiac Risk Markers - Advanced
• Basic Heart Care
• Extended Heart Care
• Advance Heart Care
• Comprehensive Heart Care
• Lipid Profile Test/Cholesterol-Total, Serum
• Netmeds Healthy Heart